You are here

Brentford give Chelsea FA Cup close shave

Updated 27 January 2013

Agence France Presse

January 27, 2013 14:17

0

Brentford give Chelsea FA Cup close shave

Updated 27 January 2013

Agence France Presse

January 27, 2013 14:17

0

LONDON: Fernando Torres saved holders Chelsea from FA Cup humiliation with the late equalizer that secured a 2-2 fourth-round draw at League One Brentford on Sunday.Four days after losing the League Cup semi-final to Swansea City, Torres and his team-mates seemed set for more cup misery when Harry Forrester converted a 73rd-minute penalty to restore Brentford’s lead after Oscar had canceled out Marcello Trotta’s opener.But the newly shorn Torres, anonymous for much of the game, finally burst into life with an 83rd-minute finish after combining with substitute Demba Ba to earn the Premier League giants a replay.The result was slightly harsh on Brentford, who were on top for long periods, but spared Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez from another painful inquest.Only six miles separate the compact Griffin Park and Stamford Bridge, but this was the first competitive meeting between the two clubs in 63 years, reinforcing the gulf in status between the two teams.There was little evidence of that gap in the opening 45 minutes, however, when the hosts dominated and deservedly reached half-time ahead.Benitez had complained of a lack of depth in his squad in the build-up to this game but was still able to recall Fernando Torres and John Terry in an effort to freshen up the side following their elimination by Swansea.But the changes did nothing to strengthen the European champions and they struggled to settle in the face of steady home pressure.Trotta provided an early warning of his threat when he capped a Brentford break with a left-foot shot that flew wide of Ross Turnbull’s right-hand upright.But moments later the home side were presented with another clear opportunity after an appalling mix-up between Terry and Turnbull that summed up Chelsea’s disarray.Turnbull’s poor clearance failed to find safety and when the ball was headed back toward the Chelsea penalty area, Terry misdirected a back-pass that Turnbull had no option but to collect with his hands under pressure from Clayton Donaldson.Forrester fired over from the resulting free kick but the warning signs were there for the visitors and reinforced when Forrester caught Branislav Ivanovic in possession in a dangerous area mid-way through the half.On that occasion Benitez’s side escaped, but they were less fortunate three minutes before the break when Frank Lampard was dispossessed by Adam Forshaw deep in his own half.The ball broke free for Forrester, whose right-foot shot was parried by Turnbull into the path of Trotta, who finished with a clinical half-volley.Benitez introduced Juan Mata for the ineffective Marko Marin at half-time and the change inspired a recovery that yielded Oscar’s equalizer, the Brazilian finishing superbly with the outside of his right boot after eluding four defenders.The visitors were in the ascendancy and appeared destined to press on and win the game before Turnbull again made an error of judgment after a mistake by a team-mate.Ramires’ misplaced pass allowed Donaldson to release substitute Tom Adeyemi, who burst into the Chelsea area and went down under the challenge of the keeper.Forrester finished calmly from the penalty spot and Chelsea were again in need of response.It came seven minutes from time when the much-criticized Torres curled a first-time shot into the top corner after exchanging passes with Ba.Chelsea might even have won it at the death, but Harlee Dean escaped despite a cross from Mata appearing to hit his hand inside the Brentford area.str/thw/pi13

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum attempts a layup in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James during the third quarter of game five of the Eastern conference finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. (Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)

Updated 24 May 2018

AP

May 24, 2018 00:00

0

Celtics beat Cavs in Game 5, lead NBA Eastern Conference finals 3-2

Rookie Jayson Tatum scored 24 points — his ninth 20-point game of the postseason — and the Celtics held LeBron James to two fourth-quarter points.

Game 6 is in Cleveland on Friday night, with the decisive seventh game back in Boston on Sunday if necessary.

Updated 24 May 2018

AP

May 24, 2018 00:00

0

BOSTON: LeBron James is tired. The young Boston Celtics seem to be getting stronger.
Rookie Jayson Tatum scored 24 points — his ninth 20-point game of the postseason — and Boston beat Cleveland 96-83 on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals.
The Celtics held James to two fourth-quarter points, earning their 10th straight victory in Boston to remain perfect at home this postseason and move within one win of their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2010.
“I just enjoy playing in the big moments, in the big games. That’s when I have the most fun,” said Tatum, who needs one more 20-point game to tie Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s rookie record of 10 in a postseason.
“I can’t say it enough: We’re one win away from being in the finals,” Tatum said. “The playoffs bring the best out of people.”
Game 6 is in Cleveland on Friday night, with the decisive seventh game back in Boston on Sunday if necessary. The home team has won every game so far in the series, and none has been closer than nine points.
“We’re looking forward to having an opportunity to force a Game 7,” said James, who had 26 points and 10 rebounds but also had six turnovers. “It’s up to us to see if we can come back here for one more.”
Al Horford had 15 points and 12 rebounds, and 21-year-old Jaylen Brown had 17 points for Boston. Tatum added seven rebounds, four assists and four steals one day after finishing a single vote shy of a unanimous selection to the NBA’s All-Rookie team.
“The sky’s the limit” for Tatum , Brown said. “He’s going to continue to get better. He’s my workout partner. I expect it in myself and I expect it in him.”
Kevin Love scored 14 points for the Cavaliers, who are trying to reach the finals for the fourth consecutive season. James has played to the end in seven straight seasons.
To extend that streak, he’ll need to win two in a row.
One of them will be in Boston.
“Our focus — LeBron’s focus — is to win,” Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said. “That’s the only thing that matters.”
The Celtics opened a double-digit lead in the first quarter and nursed it the rest of the way, holding on through a four-minute scoring drought that saw Cleveland score nine straight points to cut the deficit to 83-71. But Terry Rozier hit Horford with an alley-oop to snap the skid, and that was as close as the Cavs would get.
Reserves Marcus Morris and Marcus Smart each scored 13.

FADING STAR
James had one basket on four shots in the fourth quarter, and afterward conceded that he was worn down. He finished 1 for 6 from 3-point range in the game; the Cavaliers made just 9 of 34 attempts from beyond the arc and shot just 42 percent overall.
“I had my moments, but I think everybody at this point is tired, worn down whatever the case may be,” he said. “I was still trying to make plays, put our team in position to win.”

GOONING IT UP
Boston went on a 15-3 run in the first quarter to turn a three-point deficit into a nine-point lead. The Celtics scored nine in a row at the end of the first quarter and into the second to take a 36-19 lead, their biggest of the game.
That’s when the Cavaliers fought back .
After a hard defensive play by Morris sent Larry Nance Jr. into the first row of seats, Morris appeared to wander over and say something. Nance to jump up and body checked him; Morris responded with a one-handed shove to the face.
Aron Baynes and Brown came in to break it up, and Terry Rozier put a body on Nance. After a review, the referees called technicals on Rozier, Nance and Morris. Kyle Korver made the foul shot to make it 36-20 and Cleveland went on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to eight points, 36-28.
But Morris made a long 3-pointer to stop the scoring drought, and soon hit another to cap an 8-2 run that made it a double-digit lead.
Smart said the Celtics wanted to more aggressive at home.
“At their place, they were the aggressor,” he said. “That showed and they came up with the victory. We just wanted to be that team tonight.”

TIP-INS
Teams that win Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in a best-of-seven series win 83 percent of the time. ... James had 16 points, four rebounds and three assists at the half. Tatum had 13 points, and Horford had 10 points and seven boards at the break. ... Baynes made his first start of the series, subbing for Morris. ... It took until midway through the third quarter for a Cavs starter other than James or Love to make a basket. J.R. Smith sank a floater to make it 63-50, and George Hill followed with a jumper of his own. ... The Celtics were 10-0 in the playoffs at home in 1986. ... Horford had his 7th double-double of the postseason, matching a career high he set in 2015.